When a Jew who forgot to participate in eiruv can relinquish his rights to his neighbor who did

Relinquishing rights from one courtyard to those in another

When the situation changes after start of Shabbat

Status of the mini-island in regard to carrying from it into the sea and vice versa

Why the two Sages did not make an eiruv

Different solutions for the problem of hot water for the brit

Does relinquishing rights in the courtyard extend to house?

The status of the tzeduki, the mumar and the public violator of Shabbat restrictions

What the one(s) who forgot to join the eiruv can and cannot do

How the death of one of the neighbors on Shabbat affects the others

Interaction of shitufei movuot and eriruvei chatzeirot

The Long and Short of It

"Doesn't Abba need sleep?

This question was put to Rabbi Chisda by his daughter when she noticed that he was neglecting sleep in order to study Torah.

"There will come the days," he replied, "that are long and short and then we will have plenty of time to sleep."

How can days be both long and short?

Maharsha explains that "long" is a reference to the eternity of afterlife which is described in the Torah as "the length of days" earned by those who live by the Torah. The opportunity to earn that reward, however, is available only during ones lifetime on earth. This is expressed in the Talmuds comment (Eiruvin 22a) on the Torahs use of the term "today" (Devarim 7:11) in connection with the performance of the mitzvot commanded by G-d. "Today this world is the time for performing," say our Sages, "and tomorrow the World-to-Come is the time for receiving the reward for such performance."

The term "short" used by Rabbi Chisda in his response to his daughter is a reference to the total absence of any opportunity to perform and gain reward once life in this world comes to an end.

This then is the long and short of Rabbi Chisdas perspective of life and afterlife and explains why he was loath to waste his time on sleep when eternity was at stake.

What the Sages Say

"Anyone in whose home there is not the same reaction to spilled wine as to spilled water has not achieved the full measure of blessing (even if he is a wealthy man in general terms Rashi)."

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